Christ Tshiunza rugby player
Christ Tshiunza rugby player

Christ Tshiunza

9th Jan 2002 1.98m/112kg No 5 Lock

Christ Tshiunza is a Kinsgasa (Congo)-born young up and coming rugby player born 09 January 2002 whose only reason for taking up rugby was so that he would still be able to hang out with his school friends. He currently plays for Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership.

In 2010 his parents fled the country's civil war and began a new chapter in their lives in Cardiff. He battled for some time as he only spoke French but overcame that obstacle. At the age of 15 Tshiunza had a really big growth spurt (now 6ft 6in) and the school's director of rugby, Steve Williams urged him to try rugby. The coaches assisted in raising funds to send him on a school tour to South Africa. There were three fixtures and he was named as man of the match in two of them. All doors started opening from then on.

Four years later in November 2021, Tshiunza made his debut for Wales against Fiji at the Principality Stadium. After the match and with his new cap still on his head, he handed over his first Wales jersey to Williams to thank him for his encouragement and guidance.

Unfortunately in 2022 he missed a large amount of play due to a very badly torn hamstring injury.

The year 2023 has been circled in red by Tshinuza four years ago when he set his goal to play in the Rugby World Cup.

Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, Tshinuza has been named in the training squad for Wales.


ML July 2023

Career

Exeter Chiefs Master Logo RGB White 2022-NoStar Exeter Chiefs
No 5 Lock
2021 - present
wales Wales U20's
No 5 Lock
2021 - 2023
wales Wales
No 5 Lock
2021 - 2024